Further extension of time for the report of the commission to conduct an inquiry into the activities of the Federated Ship Painters and Dockers Union

Overview

The Letters Patent C2004Q01022, issued on 27 June 1984, is an instrument that extends the time for the completion of an inquiry by a Commissioner into matters concerning the Federated Ship Painters and Dockers Union. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this instrument was issued under the authority of the Governor-General on the advice of the Federal Executive Council and in accordance with the Royal Commissions Act 1902. The primary objective of this document is to allow additional time for the Commissioner to finalise their inquiry and submit a comprehensive report to the Governor-General by 30 September 1984. This extension aims to ensure that the inquiry is thorough and that all relevant matters are adequately investigated before the submission of the final report.

Scope and Application

The Letters Patent issued by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on 27 June 1984, amend the previous Letters Patent issued on 10 September 1980, which appointed a Commissioner to conduct an inquiry into certain matters concerning the Federated Ship Painters and Dockers Union and its officers and members. This inquiry is a continuation of a royal commission process, as evidenced by the subsequent variations to the original Letters Patent on 25 June 1981, 1 April 1982, 25 December 1982, 2 February 1983, and 15 December 1983. The purpose of these amendments is to extend the timeframe for the completion of the inquiry and the submission of the final report to the Governor-General, now required by 30 September 1984. This Act applies specifically to the Commissioner appointed under the Letters Patent, with the scope of the inquiry and the reporting obligations confined to this individual's mandate. The jurisdictional reach of these Letters Patent is Commonwealth, with the Governor-General acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council and in accordance with the Royal Commissions Act 1902 and other relevant legislative powers.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation (C2004Q01022) are those that vary the previous Letters Patent issued on 10 September 1980 and subsequently modified on 25 June 1981, 1 April 1982, 25 December 1982, 2 February 1983, and 15 December 1983. These sections, through the authority of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 and other enabling powers, extend the timeframe for the completion of an inquiry and the submission of a report by a Commissioner appointed to investigate certain matters relating to the Federated Ship Painters and Dockers Union and its officers and members. The report is now required to be furnished to the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia not later than 30 September 1984. The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties it governs are primarily concerned with the timely completion and submission of the inquiry's report. The Commissioner, who was appointed to conduct the inquiry, must ensure that their report is finalised and delivered to the Governor-General by the specified deadline. This extension of time is intended to allow the Commissioner to thoroughly investigate the matters in question and provide a comprehensive report that addresses all relevant issues. The Act also implicitly obligates the Commissioner to maintain the integrity and objectivity of the inquiry, adhering to the principles of fairness and due process. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Act could potentially result in legal consequences. While the specific penalties are not outlined in the text, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance with a Royal Commission's terms could be subject to judicial review or other legal remedies. Additionally, any misconduct or malfeasance by the Commissioner during the course of the inquiry could give rise to disciplinary or criminal charges. The maximum penalties for such offences would depend on the nature and severity of the misconduct but could include fines, imprisonment, or both. The overarching intent of the legislation is to ensure that the inquiry is conducted efficiently and effectively, culminating in a report that meets the expectations set by the Royal Commissions Act 1902 and other relevant legal frameworks.